Beet puller



May 18 ,1926. 1,584,996

J: P. SEAHOLM I BEE'I FULLER Filed May 5, 1919 Patented May 18, 1926.

UNiTEQ STATES Parent orrice.

JOHN P. SEAHOLM, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 DEERE & GOMP A1 TY, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BEET FULLER.

Application filed May 5, 1919. Serial No. 294,712.

This invention relates to improvements in machines commonly known as beet pullers which are provided with devices that travel in and loosen the earth at both sides of a row of beets and by their action force the beets out of and upon the surface of the ground ready to be gathered up by'hand.

The leading objects of my invention are to provide improved means for connecting the blade-carrying beams to the frame so as to permit them to be adjusted laterally for properly positioning the blades with respect to the row of beets to be operated or, such adjustment being necessary on account of the variation in the size of the beets; to provide improved means for varying the inclination of such beams so that the lifting effect of the blades carried there by may be regulated as required; to provide means whereby in addition to the guiding of the implement by the action of the draft animals as usual an independent guiding by means under the 'direct control of the operator may be had so as to compel the blades to follow irregular1t1es 1n plant rows, and

thereby avoid cutting or otherwise injuring the beets; and to improve generally the construction and operation of machines of this general character. I attain these objects by the devices and combinations of devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter particularly described. Those things which I believe to be new will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of a machine in which is embodied my improvements; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with the earth engaging elements in raised or inoperative position.

Referring to the drawings, 11 indicate the supporting wheels of the machine that are adjustably mounted rotatably upon the spindle portions 22 of a crank axle, the main or body portion of which is indicated by i, and the two crank portions by 3-3. Mounted upon and supported by this axle is a main frame which, as shown, comprises a curved forward portion 5 that merges into a pair of rearwardiy-extending parallel side members 6-47, the rear ends of such side members being connected toget lfier by a crossbar '7 through which extends end to end a cylindrical opening to receive and hold in different adjusted positions the turned ends of shovel beams, as more particularly described hereinafter. The supporting frame described is connected with the crank axle by means of two brackets 88 bolted respectively to the members 6 of the frame, and through openings in which the body portion 1 of the axle passes. The axle is intended to be rocked in the brackets for the purpose of effecting the raising and lowering of the frame and the parts carried thereby, and to this end I provide a lever mechanism and means for locking it in various adjusted positions. The lever referred to isindicate'd by 10, and is pivoted alongside of an ordinary toothed segment 9 with which a spring latch carried by the lever will engage, as usual. Pivotally secured to the lever 10 near the lower end thereof is a link 11 which, at its forward end, is suitably connected to the upper end of an arm 12 that is fixedly secured upon the main portion 4 of the crank axle. By a stroke of the lever it is evident that the crank axle can be rocked, and thereby cause the desired raising or lowering of the frame. At 13 is represented acoiled spring which at its forward end is connected with an arm 14 suitably secured upon the main portion of the crank axle, and at its rear end is connected in any desired way with the hollow cross-bar 7. Such spring acts as a balancing means to aid the-operator in making the several adjustments of the frame as described. 15-15 indicate two beams, each of which carries at its low er end a blade adapted to run in the earth alongside of a row of beets, and by the joint actions of the two blades cause a raising or forcing up of the various beets in the row, as usual. These beams 15 at their upper portions lie alongside of the outer faces of the frame members '6, and are inclined not only in a forward and downward direction, but, as best shown in Fig. 1, are also inclined inwardly to bring their respective blades adjacent to and at opposite sides of the median line of the implement so that they may work atopposite sides of a row of plants. The blades referred to are each indicated by 17 and, as shown in Fig. 1, they engage the ground close to the transverse vertical plane of the wheel axes. In as'niuch as beets vary considerably to size, due to differences in varieties as well as soil and climatic conditions, it is necessary to make provision for adjusting the l')lZ1(lSClOFGZ' to or farther from each other so that they will be spaced apart just the required extent to properly perform their :lunctionthat is, to travel close enough-to the line of beets to insure the proper foreing up and out of the ronndof such beets, but without contacting and cutting" o: bruir ring'them. I provide to; such adj ments by constructing each beam 15 at upper end with an inwardly turned horizontal portion 16 of-a size and shape to ii the cylindrical opening. in" the rear cross-3a '7 ofthe main frame, is shown in these turnedhorizontal portions 16 sertcdin opposite ends of theihollow crossdesired e:: by set bolts bar 7, and when inserted to the tent they'will bc'locked in place 18-1S.

In addition to the lateral adjustment of the beams in'the manner andfor the purpose just described, it is important to mal-re provision for varying the inclination of th, blades to better adapt them for'their wo;l-, such variation depending upon the particin lar condition of the soil in -vhich the m1- chineis being used, or:the'partieular variet or cha actor of thebeets that are to be acted upon. For securing-the desired:inclination of the blades, each beam 15 lhas connected to it a rod 20 which, in the construction shown, is pivotally attached'atits rear end to a clip 19 secured. around the beam, the forward end of the bar being adjustably connected to the adjacent rame member 6. 'As shown, this connection of the'forward eirl of the bar to its frame meml er is an' adjustable one, and is made by screwing the threaded forward end of therod into a screw-threaded socket 21 that is secured upon the outer face of the adjacent frame bar (3. :Byzloosening the set bolts 1P -1S it evident that the beams 1-5 can be adjusted laterally, as desired,- and by adjusting the rods 30 in their respective sockets 21, the beams 15 can be rocked on their horizontal ineml'iers it} to oh tain: the required degree of inclination ofrlhe beams to give thetlesired angle to the b ades carricd'bv the beams, and after either or both of theseadjustments havevleen made, the beams will be locked in position by again tightening; the setrbolts lS. [iv-providing that'the side or crank members 3 of the axle shall extendffronrthe frame diagonallv toward the rear of the machine and that the blade-carrying beams are connected to the frame near the rear end thereof and extend diagzi'inall forward a construction is secured that possesses very decided advantages. It ensures a \vll-balz. icedand com pact machine and it brings the blades that are carried by the beams near the transverse vertical planes of the wheel axes which position will cause them to be carried and operonter'face of sail men her 5 by a clip halt atedat a substantially uniform depth relative to the ground surface. which result is difi'icult of attainment where the soil-em neing devices are so disposed as to'btflocate l considerably forward oi said wheel ves, unless additional supporting wheels are provided for the forward end of the frame. I ann therefore, able to employ but a single pair of supporting wheels, which of cour.--te is a constructionthat lends itself, as well recognized, to ease in turning of the machine. Ina machine of this character it is highl important that the blades be locate-:l relatively 'closeto said verti *al trans verse plane of the wheel axes'for if located considerably in advance thereof the driver would not lie able'tobodilv force them laterally through the soilnor-couldhe exert sui'licient force, through the use of the-(hu'ices hereinafter described, to swing the front end of the frame laterally for gruiding the-blades to one side, but with the cm here shown anddescribed the frame, dur ng a turning or swerving' operation when the bladesarc in thc ground, will pivot about a point between=the-two blades and hence render such movement a simple and easy oneto accomplish.

Z'ZZ'indicatcS a drz'ift-tone'ue b v wait-h the frame of the machine will be supported in substantiallylevel;position when the nrichine 'is'being operated, and wilhof course, serve as thezmeans for guiding the machine with the draft animals-the front en; ot' the tongue being supported in the usual neck yolceattached to the draft animals. The tongueQQ is pivotally connected to the front portion-5 of the main frame for lateral swinging b mmeans of a comparatively long vertically-disposed;pin. 23 clamped to the and'fronr the lower end of the pin two lillliftni 25 extend to and are secure: to the side members of the main frame, thus holding the pin vertical. ;\\\'\Sh(l 26 and a cotter .2? prevent the brace membcrsfrom liec miinfl' disconnected from the pin. 28%)!) indicate plates bolted-tothe upper and lower faves, respectively, of lhc tongue. and 'l'oriuiinglho means by which the tongue is cc-uucctc'l w th the pivot pin 23, as shown in Fig J. Il -l indi 'ates an inclined brace extending iclwccu the tongue and the lower porlion of the pin 23, a spreader blo k ill being mounted on such'pin between the under face oi the fran'ie i'i'ien'iliier 5 and the end of the l 1':i:'( 30, thus holding the brace ii proper po iti n. Between the lower end of the brave and the washer 26 is securei'l an ordinary clavis n. to which the draft devices are to be attached. 2'33 indicates a cotter through the upper end of the pin 2 for holding; the'tongue 2:2 in place on the pin. It'is often desirable that the machine be swerved to one side or the other sufficiently to allow the blades to conform to irmain frame.

regularities in a row, and in order that such swerving may be accomplishedindependently of the turning that would be given by the action of the team and be given more quickly and to just the exact extent required, I have provided means under the control of the driver for performing such movements.

'34 indicates a cross-barextending across the base of the tongue, and, in the construction shown, being formed integral with the plate 28 that is bolted to the upper face of the tongue, and, as shown in Fig. 1, the pin 23 projects through the central portion of this crossbar member. In each end of the member 34 is an opening into which projects the turned end. of one of two steering links 3585, the rear end of each link being pivotally connected at 36 (see Fig. 2) with a foot lever 37 which is supported at its lower end in a bracket 38 attached to the inner face of the adjacent side bar 6 of the 39 indicates the drivers seat mounted as usual on the rear end of a spring bar 40 bolted to a bracket on the rear crossbar 7 of the main frame.

lVit-h' the beams 15 adjusted in the/ man ner described so as to properly position the blades for theirwork, and with the blades in position in the earth at the sides of a row of plants, the operator during the forward progress of the machine will keep his feet on the foot levers 3737, and by pressing equally thereon can hold the tongue substantially straight and rigid. If, however, it be desired to swerve the machine laterally to follow a sharp curve or irregularity in the row, he will apply pressure upon one lever' crum, the result will be that the pressure will. be transferred laterally to the pivot pin 23 andthus cause a swinging or turning of the rear end of the tongue and the front of the frame to one side sufficiently to divert the machine from a straight course as desired. hen the occasion for departing from a straight line of travel has passed, and it is desired to resume such straight line again, pressure on the other foot lever with a corresponding release of pressure on the foot lever that had been forced forward to cause the divergence from the straight line will bring the machine back intoits normal course.

Attention has been called to the fact that the supporting wheels are capable of being adjusted on their respective spindles, and as will be seen by reference to Fig. 1, I provide each of the spindles 2 with a plurality of holes so that the wheels may be fixed in any desired position by locking the two collars =41, with which each wheel spindle is provided, at any desired point on communitites with respect to the width maintained between rows of beets. By the ad ustment of the wheels in this manner the machine can be readily adapted for use regardless of the variations in the width between rows.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a beet-puller, the combination with a frame, of downwardly-extending bladecarrying beams and means. for mounting said beams on the frame, said beams being movable in said mounting means to effect both a transverse and a rocking loi'igitudina movement. of the beams.

9.. In a beetpuller, the coi'i'ibination with a frame, of downwardly-entending bladecarrying beams and means for mounting said beams on the frame, said beams being independently movable in said mounting means to effect both a transverse and a rocking longitudinal movement of the beams.

3. In a beet-puller, the combination with a wheel-supported frame, of downwardlyextending blade-carrying beams each having a horizontal upper end portion rotatably mounted on the frame to permit the beam to be rocked forward and back, and means for holding the beams in the'different positions to which they may be rocked.

4. In a beet-puller, the combination'with a wheel-supported frame, of downwardlyextending blade-carrying beams each having a horizontal upper end portion that is adjustable transversely of the frame and rotatably mounted on the frame to permitthe beam to be rocked forward and back, and means for holding the beams in the various positions to which they may be adjusted.

5. In a beet-puller, the combination with a wheel-supported frame comprising a hollow transverse member, of dmvnwardlyextending blade-carrying beams each having a turned portion at its upper end inserted in said hollow member and adj ustable therein to position their respective blades closer to or farther from each other.

6. In a beet-puller, the con'ibination with a wheel-supported frame, comprising a hollow transverse member, of downwardly extending blade-carrying beams each having a turned portion at its upper end jonrnaled in said hollow member to allow the beams to be rocked to different inclined positions.

7. In a beet-puller, the combination with a. wheel-supported frame, comprising a hol low transverse member, of downwardlyextending blade-carrying beams each having a turned'portion at its upper end journaled in said hollow member to allow the beams to be rocked to different inclined positions,

said turned portions of the beams being also adjust e in said hollow member to position their respective blades closer to or farther from each other.

8. In a beet-puller, the combination with a wheel-supported frame, con'iprising a hollow transverse member, of downwardly extending blade-carrying beams each having :1 turned portion at its upper end journaled in said hollow member to allow the beams to be melted to different inclined positions, said turned portions of the beams being also adjustable in said hollow vmember to position their respective blades closer to or farther from :ch other, and means for locklug said beams in their different adjusted positions.

9. In a machine of "h class described, the combination of a rigid aine, apair of supporting wheels therefor, a crank-axle upon spindle portions of which said wheels are mounted, said cran n-axle connected with said frame and extending toward the rear of the ironic, blade-carrying beams mounted on the franc in rear of the axes of the wheels and extending diagonally forward to position the blades carried by the beams adjacent to the transverse vertical plane of the wheel axes, and a bracing member con nected with each beam and extending to and connected with the adjacent side of said frame.

10. In a machine of the class'described, the combination of a rigid frame, a pair of supporting wheels therefor, a crank-axle upon spindle portions of which said wheels remounted, said crank-axle connected with said frame and extending toward the rear of the frame, blade-carrying beamsmounted on the. frame in rear ofthe axes of the wheels and extending diagonally forward to position the blades carried by the beams adjacent to the transverse verticalplane of the. wheel axes, said beams being adjustable loiuritudimilly of the frail e, and abracing member pivotally connected with each beam and extending to and pivotally connected with the adjacent side of said frame, the etl'cctive length of saidbracemembers being adapted to be varied to hold the beams in their diil'erent adjusted positions.

I in a machine of the class described, the combination of a rigid frame, a pair of supporting wheels therefor, a crank-axle upon spindle portions of which said wheels are mounted, said crank-axle connected with aid frame and extending toward the rear of the frame, and l'iladecarrying beams mounted on the frame in rear of the axes of the wheels and extending diagonally forard to position the blades carriedby the cams adjacent to the transverse vertical lane of the wheel axes, said beams being separately adjustable longitudinally of the frame.

12. In a machine of the class described the combination of a rigid 'frame, a pair of supporting wheels therefor, bladc-carrying beams mounted on the frame in rear of the axes ofthe wheels one extending diagonally forward to position the blades ca 'ried by the beams adjacent to the transverse vertical plane of the wheel axes, a tongue pivotally connected with the front portion of the frame, lever mechanism mounted on the frame and operable by the driver from his seat, and means connected with said lever mechanism and with the tongue and actuated by said lever mechanism for applying lateral pressure to the pivotal connection of the tongue to cause the frame to turn horizontally about an axis projected from between the blades.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rigid frame, a pair of supporting wheels therefor, blade-carrying beams supported from the. frame with the blades at the lower ends thereof adjacent to the transverse vertical plane of the wheel axes, a tongue pivolally connected with the front portion of the frame, lever mechanism mounted on the frame and operable by the driver from his seat, and means connected with said lever mechanism and with the tongue and actuated by said lever mechanism for applyinglateral pressure to the pivotal connection of the tongueto cause the frame to turn horizontally about an axis projected .from between the blades.

portion of the frame for lateral swinging,

lever mechanism mounted on the frame and operable by the driver from his seat, aml means connected with and actuated by said lever mechanism for applying lateral pressure to the pivotal connection of the tongue to divertlhe machine from a direct line of travel.

15. In an agricultural implement, the combination of a wheel supported framc, earth engaging devices depending from the frame and engaging the ground adjacent to the transverse vertical plane of the wheel axes, means for raising and lowering the frame and the earth engaging devices connected therewith, a tongue pivolally connected with the front portion of the frame for lateral swinging, levcr mcchanit-tm mounted on the frame and operable by the driver from his seat, and means connected with and actuated by said lever mechanism for applying lateral pressure to the pivotal connection of the tongue to divert the machine from a direct line of travel.

16. In an agricultural implement, the comliio bination with a pair of supporting Wheels and a rigid frame supported thereby and projecting forward of the transverse vertical plane of the Wheel axes, of a tongue pivotally connected with the forward portion of the frame for lateral swinging, lever mechanism mounted on the frame and operable by the driver from his seat, means connected with and actuated by said lever mechanism for applying lateral pressure to deflect the forward portion of said frame laterally, and earth engaging devices carried by said frame and engaging the ground adjacent to said transverse vertical plane.

17. In an agricultural implement, the combination with a pair of supporting wheels and a rigid frame supported thereby and projecting forward of the transverse vertical plane of the wheel axes, of a tongue pivotally connected with the forward portion of the frame for lateral swinging, lever mechanism mounted on the frame and operable by the driver from his seat, means connected with and actuated'loy said lever mechanism for applying lateral pressure to deflect the for- Ward portion of said frame laterally, and earth engaging devices carried by said frame and engaging the ground adjacent to said transverse vertical plane and adjacent to and at opposite sides of the median line of the implement.

JOHN P. SEAHOLM. 

